# Total number of combinations for combination lock

• December 26th 2011, 07:51 AM
scalpmaster
Total number of combinations for combination lock
Hi, does anyone know how to calculate the total number of combinations for a 6XN combination lock? i.e. for each of the 6 wheel columns, there are N possible numbers.
• December 26th 2011, 08:22 AM
Plato
Re: Total number of combinations for combination lock
Quote:

Originally Posted by scalpmaster
Hi, does anyone know how to calculate the total number of combinations for a 6XN combination lock? i.e. for each of the 6 wheel columns, there are N possible numbers.

There are six positions that can be filled by any one of N numbers.

• December 26th 2011, 09:36 AM
scalpmaster
Re: Total number of combinations for combination lock
Quote:

Originally Posted by Plato
There are six positions that can be filled by any one of N numbers.

Not sure, 6^N?
• December 26th 2011, 09:53 AM
Plato
Re: Total number of combinations for combination lock
Quote:

Originally Posted by scalpmaster
Not sure, 6^N?

Can you explain why you think that is the answer.
Here is a hint there are $10^3$ three digit numbers from $000,001,\cdots 999$.
• December 26th 2011, 09:57 AM
scalpmaster
Re: Total number of combinations for combination lock
Quote:

Originally Posted by Plato
Can you explain why you think that is the answer.
Here is a hint there are $10^3$ three digit numbers from $000,001,\cdots 999$.

• December 26th 2011, 10:06 AM
Plato
Re: Total number of combinations for combination lock
Quote:

Originally Posted by scalpmaster

Which one do you think it is and why?

The lock looks like: $\boxed{|__}\boxed{|__}\boxed{|__}\boxed{|__}\boxed {|__}\boxed{|__}$
• December 26th 2011, 10:11 AM
scalpmaster
Re: Total number of combinations for combination lock
Quote:

Originally Posted by Plato
Which one do you think it is and why?

The lock looks like: $\boxed{|__}\boxed{|__}\boxed{|__}\boxed{|__}\boxed {|__}\boxed{|__}$

NxNxNxNxNxN
looks more like N^6?